aculeus
noun
acu·le·us
\ə-ˈkyü-lē-əs\
Definition of aculeus
aculei
\ə-ˈkyü-lē-ˌī\zoology
: a sharp-pointed process; specifically : an insect's ovipositor especially when modified into a sting
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Origin and Etymology of aculeus
borrowed from New Latin, going back to Latin, “stinger, spine (of a fish), sharp point, barb,” from acū-, stem of acus “needle” + -leus, noun suffix (perhaps originally diminutive) — more at 1acute
First Known Use: 1702
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